Rent DVC or stay at resort?

[CampbellScot]

Hi, I need DVC expert advice. I am going to be at WDW the third week in August with my husband and two step children. If we stay at a resort we will need to get connecting rooms. Would it be more economical to rent DVC and get a one bedroom? We will also be purchasing the DDP..unless it's free...

Any advice as to which would be best?

thanks in advance!!!

 

[Chuck S]

DVC point ressies will not be eligible for free dining, but is available for $38.99 per adult and $10.99 per child age 9 and under, per night of your stay, and must be for everyone in yor room for the entire length of the reservation.

Depending upon the exact dates of your travel, a 7 night stay at OKW will be 196 to 218 points (or at $10 per point $1960 to $2180). That is assuming you can find points for $10, many owners may charge more than that. But there is a starting point to begin your comparison of costs to cash ressies through Disney for other resorts. Other DVC resorts will be more points. (see the link to point charts at the top of this page)

Remember that renting points is between you and the DVC owner. Disney/DVC will not become involved in the transaction if there is a dispute, and the owner must add the dining plan and make Magical Exprss arrangements for you, if you need those. Non-members can not call DVC member services to confirm the reservation, make dining plan arangements, or Magical Express.

 

[ZekeKelso]

Two suggestions when comparing rates. First, don't assume you can rent points for $10 each. For budgeting purposes, assume at least $11. Second, note that Disney will charge you 12.5% in taxes on a CRO reservation. If you rent DVC points, you are unlikely to be charged the tax.

Note that these two things cancel out. It's probably fair to compare pre-tax rates to $10/point rentals. Just for budgeting purposes, know you will pay a bit more.

 

[mikesmom]

Your decision may also depend on the age and sex of the 2 children. A 1 bedroom will have a King in the Master and a queen size pullout couch in the front room. If they are older kids and/or different sexes, that may not work well for you. Disney will not suplly a cot or other sleeping arrangements. If you need everyone to have a separate bed, then a 2 bedroom would work better - it would also give you 2 bathrooms.

 

[crisi]

The other thing to keep in mind with rentals is that cancelling a rental will likely be far less flexible than cancelling through CRO. Consider any payment unrefundable.

 

[byoung]

You are paying rack rates when the DDP is free. Renting DVC is a lot lower then rack rate. But watch out renting you can get hooked, I did and now own.

 

[starbox]

With rented points, there is no daily mousekeeping/towels and, as mentioned, you can't just switch dates or cancel your reservation. The trip insurance does not reimburse you as much (about 5$ per point) should something happen.

Also, as mentioned, sleeping accomadations in the room configuration is different with DVC. A one-bedroom gives you a king and a pull-out sofa. A 2 bedroom gives you a king, 2 queens, and a pull-out. With two hotel resort rooms, you'll likely get four queens.

DVC is currently offering DDP to renters. You pay a daily rate. This, however, could change at any time as DVC has been trying to control commercial renting. The ability of renters to use Member Services was taken away quickly and without warning, and the ability to get DDP without proof of membership could get taken away as well. There is no discount for park tickets for DVC renters.

Renting can save $$, but you will make up for the savings by not being able to deal directly with Disney and not having the luxury of switching reservations or cancelling if plans change or emergencies arise. It's up to you to decide if the savings are worth it or not.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Another option would be the family suites at All Star Music resort. You get a similar setup as a 1 bedroom but 2 full baths. Also there is a sleeper chair and sleeper sofa in the living area so each of your stepkids could have their own "bed". They cost about $169 in value season up to $259 per night holiday season.

 

[CPer'sMom]

A 2 bedroom gives you a king, 2 queens, and a pull-out. With two hotel resort rooms, you'll likely get four queens.

We just stayed in a BCV 2-bedroom (dedicated) unit ~ I was expecting 2 queen beds but the 'studio' room had 1 queen and a pull-out. We actually started out in a 2nd floor unit and on the 2nd day moved up to the 5th floor ~ both were dedicated with that same configuration.

 

[crisi]

We just stayed in a BCV 2-bedroom (dedicated) unit ~ I was expecting 2 queen beds but the 'studio' room had 1 queen and a pull-out. We actually started out in a 2nd floor unit and on the 2nd day moved up to the 5th floor ~ both were dedicated with that same configuration.

Yep, there are only a few "2 Q Dedicateds" at the BCV, they are a booking type.

At OKW all 2nd bedrooms will have 2 queens (all studios have 2 queens)

At BWV all 2 bedroom units are lockoffs, all 2nd bedrooms will be lockoff studios with one queen and a pullout.

At VWL you can have a dedicated 2 bedroom with 2 Qs or a lockoff with a pullout.

Something in the room configuration at BCV made it impossible to put two Qs in all the dedicateds (I think some of the rooms are slightly too small for fire code for two queens), so you get lockoffs, dedicated with 2Qs and dedicateds with a Q and a pullout.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Yep, there are only a few "2 Q Dedicateds" at the BCV, they are a booking type.

Something in the room configuration at BCV made it impossible to put two Qs in all the dedicateds (I think some of the rooms are slightly too small for fire code for two queens), so you get lockoffs, dedicated with 2Qs and dedicateds with a Q and a pullout.

That makes sense ~ thanks for the explanation. I'd wondered why they hadn't put the 2Qs in all the dedicated units there.

 

[Sammie]

There are only 25 dedicated 2 bedroom villas with 2 queens at the BCV. They must be booked at the time the reservation is made and are only available to point reservations.